Thanks for the award. That is very nice of you. I promote you all the time and I appreciate your guidance to owner-builders. Larry C., Lynden, WA

Eric's Forum Posts: 0
Journal Entries: 7




Image from Eric's blog

Subscribe to this journal...

Paint and Framing

Posted to Schrammelot by Eric in Pierson, FL on 9/11/2009

We finished the exterior paint. We went with Aura from Benjamin Moore. It's a new low-VOC and acrylic waterproofing paint that just came out. Great stuff!!! Got one balcony railing in and are working on the other. We went with composite material. We also have the second-floor joists and deck finished. That was good times!!! All I have to say is Gina, my incredible wife, ROCKS!!! Next we get to complete the interior framing. Peace!!

Photos

Brian's Forum Posts: 77 Journal Entries: 79 Interview Answers: 190 Average Forum Rating: 3.81 Image from Brian's blog 9/11/2009	Looks like you have almost the whole second floor subfloor down, great!!
2008, 2009 Merit Award Winner Grant's Forum Posts: 362 Journal Entries: 19 Interview Answers: 164 Average Forum Rating: 4.05 Grant's Selected Image 9/12/2009	Just out of curiosity, what is the advantage of using low VOC paints on an exterior application?  I'm sold on low VOC for interior paints, but haven't even considered the need for exterior paints.
Eric's Forum Posts: 0 Journal Entries: 7 Image from Eric's blog 9/12/2009	The 2nd floor is finished. Just finished the 2nd balcony railing today. VOC's off gas inside and out! You are exposed to it every time you are near your house. No thanks!!!! Our thought is, the more you can cut out, the better we feel. I've been in the commercial/residential painting business for 15+ years and I feel it matters to my family. Some don't.

THE CONCRETE IS DONE!!!! Oh Happy Day!!!

Posted to Schrammelot by Eric in Pierson, FL on 6/20/2009

After five months of labor, we have moved 32,284 lbs. of concrete up and down ladders, crawling all over the house, eating some of it, wearing a lot of it, and I can't say we're sad that it's over!!! 16 tons?!?!? All of our doors and windows are installed and we have passed all of our inspections to date. We are so very excited! Now the hard part, picking a paint color! Here are some pictures, enjoy!!!

Photos

Big heavy door!!!	No more exposed EPS	Entry door installed!!
Finished!	Finished!	Finished!
Finished!	Finished!	Finished! Did I mention, Finished!

Rachal's Forum Posts: 79 Journal Entries: 30 Interview Answers: 62 Average Forum Rating: 3.82 Rachal's Selected Image 6/21/2009

It's beautiful!! You are so lucky. Not that luck has anything to do with it. I guess it has more to do with HARD WORK.

Moving Along!

Posted to Schrammelot by Eric in Pierson, FL on 4/20/2009

Here are some pics of our progress. Hope you enjoy!

Photos

Floor joists and bedroom entryway framing	A few interior walls	Interior framing
More joists	Kitchen entryway	A few walls
First floor bedroom window framing	Main entryway - ready for concrete	Master bedroom window dormer
Kitchen and study balcony - ready for concrete	Master bedroom balcony and first floor bedrooms ready	Bird's eye view
Study door dormer with first coat on	Master bedroom door dormer with first coat	Master bedroom window(installed) with first coat
A few seams with the finish coat of concrete	More finished seams

Rachal's Forum Posts: 79 Journal Entries: 30 Interview Answers: 62 Average Forum Rating: 3.82 Rachal's Selected Image 4/23/2009	How is the interior framing going?  I wanted a dome sooooooo bad, but didn't have the money.  I read that framing the interior of a dome creates it's challenges.
Eric's Forum Posts: 0 Journal Entries: 7 Image from Eric's blog 4/23/2009	Other than some odd angles and bevels, it's just regular ol' framing. It does help to have some experience.

Holy Moly!!!

Posted to Schrammelot by Eric in Pierson, FL on 2/19/2009

January was BUSY!!! We have all the panels in place and 95% (I'm guessing) of the first coat of concrete applied. We've lost about 15 lbs. each and have places on our bodies hurting that we didn't know existed!!! We are working on framing in the entryways so that we can get this monster dried in. Hoping that happens before summer and hurricane season. Peace!!!

Photos

Riser panels set, concrete and the rib system.	More rib system	Cheetoh supervising
First row of dome panels. The lull is the way to go!!	The dome guru Kevin. If you build one of these, you NEED this guy!!!	Setting the entryway panels
Panels set - ready for concrete	Second row of panels. The skylight will be in our master bath right next to the toilet.	View from inside
View from outside	Concreted	Sunny dome
Front view	Ant and I hog-ringing. You have to do this a few thousand times.	More front views
Entryway	Nice View from up there!	These skylights are in our master bedroom. Pimpin', wouldn't you say?
The last five triangles!!	The final four!	And Three!
Just the wo of them!	One is the loneliest number...	Pakow!!!! Or kablammm!!!! Or whatever!!!!
And there it is in all of its orbitity. Why does Darth Vader's theme song keep going through my head?	Dome ceiling view	More interior views
Master bedroom window and door dormers	Scaffolding helps	Study door dormer

We've Been Busy!!!

Posted to Schrammelot by Eric in Pierson, FL on 1/11/2009

November and December were crazy!!!! We got the building permit, slab formed and first plumbing roughed in, footers dug, steel installed, everything inspected and passed the first time and the concrete poured! All this on top of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, two full-time jobs and two kids, three cats and a Jack Russell Terror, yes I said terror! We couldn't have pulled this off without two GREAT subcontractors. John Wilson Plumbing and Perry's Concrete. If anyone needs awesome guys, I will be more than happy to give you their numbers! Here are a bunch of pictures. Enjoy!!!

Photos

Form boards	Plumbing	Footers
33 yards of concrete later!	Slab	MUUHHAAHHAHAHAHAHA!!! Let the fun begin!
Holy Moly Holy Moly Holy Moly!! That's all we could say for a few hours.	The first part of the unloading process.	The last stack of panels! We had two smaller stacks to go and had to finish with headlights and 500 watt halogens. Good times!!!
Panels in the yard	Only 99 more to go. WoooHoooo!!!

Brian's Forum Posts: 77 Journal Entries: 79 Interview Answers: 190 Average Forum Rating: 3.81 Image from Brian's blog 2/18/2009

Glad to hear Perry's Concrete was good to you.  My dome foundation was excellent, and so was the garage.  He's a great guy.  Did you mention me?  Did he remember?

Finally Starting

Posted to Schrammelot by Eric in Pierson, FL on 11/8/2008

We have finally started our house (happy dance!). The well is in, and the septic is in progress. We will start the slab stuff very soon.

Photos

Let the drilling commence!	Pump and tank	54,000 lb. truck? They said it can get 6 feet off the ground.
Mmmm, septic tank.	Drain field with the Infiltrator system

Schrammelot Beginnings

Posted to Schrammelot by Eric in Pierson, FL on 2/2/2008

This is where the A.I. Dome's 40' dome is going to be built. Placed on 7.385 acres. Can't wait to start!!!

Photos

House pad	House pad again	View from master bedroom balcony
View from study balcony	Bridge over not-so-troubled water. Had to do it.	Half of the canal that splits 7.385 acres.

Brian's Forum Posts: 77 Journal Entries: 79 Interview Answers: 190 Average Forum Rating: 3.81 Image from Brian's blog 2/3/2008

Eric, good luck!  If you need any help or advice, let me know.  I am starting the thrid row on my A.I. 34 footer...see my blog below. Your site looks EXCellent! http://www.ownerbuilderbook.com/blogs/users/TheHoskensProject.aspx I am building between Gainesville and Palatka, just north of Ocala in Hawthorne, 32640.  The A.I. domes have a LOT going for them, but you might need to know a few things...read the blueprints and manual OVER AND OVER.  Check the measurements on the blueprints...mine had a few errors, you have to re-check everything.  If you want to see one in progress, or help with one, let me know and we'll schedule a date.